SOCHI, Russia (CP) — Greg Westlake scored the game’s only goal while Corbin Watson made seven saves for his second straight shutout Tuesday as Canada defeated the Czech Republic 1-0 in sledge hockey at the Sochi Paralympics.

Sochi 2014 Olympics post

Westlake broke the scoreless tie at 7:33 of the second period, ripping a shot upstairs from in tight for his second goal of the tournament.

Canada had a number of chances to extend the lead but was forced to hang on late as the Czechs made one final push in the dying seconds.

“They’re a big team. They’re physical,” said Westlake. “They’ve got a lot of men on their team.

“It’s a lot of cycling against the Czechs. They have a big goalie so you have to pick your spots. If you’re not shooting the puck well it’s going to be a low-scoring game.”

Canada has surrendered just one goal on 18 shots through three round-robin victories while outscoring its opponents 15-1.

“It was a fun game to play and it was a necessary game to play because we get better and we needed a team to push us going into the medal round,” said Westlake.

Czech goalie Michal Vapenka stopped 17 shots in defeat as his team was eliminated from the competition.

“We had some scoring chances, there was just no finish,” said Canadian head coach Mike Mondin. “The kid in net is a good goalie.

“He’s a big guy so they’re trying to go high and we shot a lot of them over the net.”

Canada clinched first place in its pool and will take on the United States in one of Thursday’s semifinals. The Americans, who won gold four years ago in Vancouver, dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to the host Russians earlier Tuesday to finish second in their group.

Russia will meet Norway in the other semifinal.

Canada won Paralympic gold back in 2006 but had a disappointing fourth-place finish in 2010.

“To get a medal is awesome and that was the goal,” said Arendz. “There were mistakes out there both in shooting and on the course so it was not a perfect race, but anytime you are on the podium I have to be happy because this is strong field.”

Arendz’s medal was Canada’s seventh so far in the competition (one goal, two silver, four bronze). Host Russia continues to lead with a whopping 34 medals, 23 ahead of second-place Ukraine. Canada and the United States are tied in third.

Arendz, who shot 19-of-20, said the poor visibility made the race extra challenging.

“It was the same conditions for everyone,” he said. “I wasn’t perfect in shooting so I know there are still mistakes that need to be cleaned up.”